I bought a Yamaha SA2200 recently after researching the market for good. I couldn't believe that Gibson was asking ridiculous amounts for simple things like satin vs gloss finish or fretboard inlays (dot vs box-shaped). People say that the new ES 335 smells like vanilla but who cares. If you are in doubt about getting a Yamaha or a Gibson then choose the Yamaha without any hesitation. This is a lifelong guitar that brings the sound you are looking for.
This is the best semi-hollow guitar on the planet for this price range, and maybe beyond, too. It's really unfair to the 335 to compare it to the Yamaha. The SA2200 is WAY better. Carved (solid) wood, ebony board, 2 coil splits, and on a 335 with all that you'd pay 5K if you could even get all of it. The neck on this guitar is just perfect, not too slim and not chunky at all. Now, if I could just learn to play like Greg here, I might be all set. At almost 68, I'm still working on it. Great work, Greg.
Yeah m@n this is a Dream Guitar 4 sure ^-6 (with the SA1500 my fav) Im looking to get on of these on eBay from a japan seller ASAP coz they R the best deal on earth
@@lushkordz6643 Do you know much about the sa 1200s? I have the opportunity to buy a 1983 version for $1050 Canadian which is probably in the $700 range USD.
The standard sa2000 series has laminated wood. Not carved. A very small number of Sa models had a solid spruce top. These were the 2200 ones I think. The laminate tops are perfectly good and easily as good as the carved.
I came back just to hear Greg play some more. Off the charts awesome! And the Yamaha SA2200 is so great! He plays a lot of cool Yamaha and Godin guitars. Classy and cool. Thumbs way up!
All Yamaha guitars are underrated IMV, so yes, the Japanese made ones especially other than by a niche of thinking discerning players out there. That said, and make no mistake I love this guitar, the Ibanez Japanese made AS2000 Artstar will give it the SA2200 a run for its money. Around the same price point, both are outstanding guitars.
Bought yamaha sf 700 years ago plays great sounds great sustain is unbelievable same my mate got sg 1000 another fine instrument they do make some great guitars and for years
I have a sa2200 and sas1500 they are the best guitars I have played ever- they are both instruments for life; I don't want any other guitars I can do anything with these two.
Hi Jerry, could you please tell me what the neck profile on this guitar like? I have a Yamaha SG1000 and I really like it because it has a chubbier '59 profile neck and I'm hoping that the SA2200 also has a chubbier neck and not a slim neck. Thanks for the info in advance!
@@tiborrisko7349 It has slim neck and wide fret board. I also had SG1000(little regret to sold it), those are totally different neck profile. When I went to guitar shop for buying SA2200 and played it, first big thing was " Neck". BUT, sound and quality will makes you buy it :)
@@auh-jinyoon3565 Thanks for the info! Still looking for my dream 335 style guitar that not only sounds good but also has a fat neck profile :) BB King said that "..finding your dream guitar is like finding your wife...." :D
It isn’t tough to imagine that if I had chosen to be a Yamaha purist, this guitar would have been my model of choice when it was time for me to “go professional“. Would’ve been hard to come by, but it would’ve been so worth the effort.
The playing on this is great but in every clip when that OKKO diablo is kicked on, it just colors the amp too much and the guitars all wind up sounding the same. The intro tone of the Vibroverb clean was great though!
I had have an ES335 (always wanted one for years) Custom that would be £2800 if you wanted something similar new from a dealer today, that I only really used for recording here and there as it was mark-free and so damn pricey I never took it out of the house.. Picked up an SA2200 for £800 with a few small dings and marks to gig with and soon saw no need to own the Gibbo at all (it's up for sale). Very close sound-wise, the Gibbo perhaps a little mellower and airy in its sweetness, the Yammy similar but perhaps tighter and more focussed with stock pickups - but when I put in some boutique jobs it sounded like the best 335-type I'd ever touched. Oh and the neck feels slightly more 'modern' and ergonomic somehow, which is good. I can't believe people pay so much for the romance of the Gibson brand when these go for £800-900 used.
True. The stock pickups are not bad if one is into smooth jazz. If so, don´t change anything! But they don´t give so much sparkle. I put some Wolfetone Marshallheads in my SA 2200. The sound became brighter and more exciting, more complex, more according to my liking.
I put Kloppmann pick-ups in mine as well as completely rewired it. then I put a Duesenberg trem (à la bigsby but nicer) with a scaller rollerbridge and Duesenberg tuners. It has become even better and more special. But nothing wrong with the stock pups and hardware.
Just bought an sa 500,il have it tomorrow,anyone have any experience with that model? If the tone isn't right then il upgrade the pickups but it's just been set up so it's a matter of wait and see!
I'm gonna sound like a douche but few "run-of-the-mill" Gibson 335 compete with the SA2200 in terms of quality and consistency. Every 335 Gibby I tried were not as well made but had their own thing so it's not to say that the SA2200 is "better" just different. But for sure, it is better built.
Awesome ... I have two, one set up for Rock the other for Sweet sounds... great value compared with the 335... which I also own but its a matter of taste, the build quality is 10 times better on the Yamaha as expected, but if its Grunt you want then maybe the 335 is the beast for you..
The strength of the SA2200 is the consistency and extremely high craftmanship, components and material quality. You are sure to get a superlative instrument even buying online. Though they are not cheap (around $2000), they are well worth every penny. The Ibanez original AS200 have nice pups and the Gibraltar bridge and tailpiece which I like. As to the Gibson 335, well, it's all a matter of luck and how much you're ready to spend. You have run-of the-mill sub-par es335 (not worth the money) and you have awesome holy grail es335 (how much are you ready to spend?!!...).
I bought a Yamaha SA2200 recently after researching the market for good. I couldn't believe that Gibson was asking ridiculous amounts for simple things like satin vs gloss finish or fretboard inlays (dot vs box-shaped). People say that the new ES 335 smells like vanilla but who cares. If you are in doubt about getting a Yamaha or a Gibson then choose the Yamaha without any hesitation. This is a lifelong guitar that brings the sound you are looking for.
Yup. Yamaha's or Ibanez's hollows/semi-hollows work extremely well for their asking price
Bought one it had a warped neck couldn’t be fixed…
@@stevenheath741 Why did you buy it if it had a warped neck?
I just bought mine two weeks ago , I agree ☝️ 100% the best choice
The sounds with the neck pickup are incredible. It’s so so so sweet! Has plenty of top end too
This is the best semi-hollow guitar on the planet for this price range, and maybe beyond, too.
It's really unfair to the 335 to compare it to the Yamaha. The SA2200 is WAY better. Carved (solid) wood,
ebony board, 2 coil splits, and on a 335 with all that you'd pay 5K if you could even get all of it.
The neck on this guitar is just perfect, not too slim and not chunky at all. Now, if I could just learn
to play like Greg here, I might be all set. At almost 68, I'm still working on it. Great work, Greg.
Yeah m@n this is a Dream Guitar 4 sure ^-6 (with the SA1500 my fav)
Im looking to get on of these on eBay from a japan seller ASAP coz they R the best deal on earth
@@lushkordz6643 Do you know much about the sa 1200s? I have the opportunity to buy a 1983 version for $1050 Canadian which is probably in the $700 range USD.
@@kevdean9967 Its Yamaha ...so its good m@n... just diggin ^-^
The standard sa2000 series has laminated wood. Not carved. A very small number of Sa models had a solid spruce top. These were the 2200 ones I think. The laminate tops are perfectly good and easily as good as the carved.
go Jerry go, thanks for the comment. now you better go practice..
I came back just to hear Greg play some more. Off the charts awesome! And the Yamaha SA2200 is so great! He plays a lot of cool Yamaha and Godin guitars. Classy and cool. Thumbs way up!
I own a bunch of high end guitars. My 15 year old SA2200 stands out as one of the best among them. I fitted a dussenberg trem on it.
This guy can rally play. Every video is him rocking so much!
Most underrated semi hollowbody guitar ever, brillant sound and perfect quality.....made in Japan.
A beauty also
@@TheHumbuckerboy однозначно!
couldn't be more right
All Yamaha guitars are underrated IMV, so yes, the Japanese made ones especially other than by a niche of thinking discerning players out there. That said, and make no mistake I love this guitar, the Ibanez Japanese made AS2000 Artstar will give it the SA2200 a run for its money. Around the same price point, both are outstanding guitars.
Bought yamaha sf 700 years ago plays great sounds great sustain is unbelievable same my mate got sg 1000 another fine instrument they do make some great guitars and for years
Great video! I own + use the same SA 2200 -Model for about 10 years with great satisfaction. Superb instruments for the money.
sound INCREDIBLE this guitar, obviously played by a Master.
I have a sa2200 and sas1500 they are the best guitars I have played ever- they are both instruments for life; I don't want any other guitars I can do anything with these two.
The sas1500 is a dream guitar for me. Can't get it in Europe. :(
order abroad
This Yamaha is far better than an ES335, IMO. I've had both, and I sold the 335 if that
tells you anything. No comparison, get the Yamaha.
Getting an SA2200 tomorrow. Killer guitar.
Hi Jerry, could you please tell me what the neck profile on this guitar like? I have a Yamaha SG1000 and I really like it because it has a chubbier '59 profile neck and I'm hoping that the SA2200 also has a chubbier neck and not a slim neck. Thanks for the info in advance!
@@tiborrisko7349 It has slim neck and wide fret board. I also had SG1000(little regret to sold it), those are totally different neck profile. When I went to guitar shop for buying SA2200 and played it, first big thing was " Neck". BUT, sound and quality will makes you buy it :)
@@auh-jinyoon3565 Thanks for the info! Still looking for my dream 335 style guitar that not only sounds good but also has a fat neck profile :) BB King said that "..finding your dream guitar is like finding your wife...." :D
What about the Eastman T59V
The camera work is hilarious.
Hey Greg, how do you feel these compare to the AS200 and 335? I had one for a while and it seemed really bright.
yes, clear and bright - but the Ibanez AS are similar as far I can remember...
It isn’t tough to imagine that if I had chosen to be a Yamaha purist, this guitar would have been my model of choice when it was time for me to “go professional“. Would’ve been hard to come by, but it would’ve been so worth the effort.
I own this guitar , beautiful in every way !
У меня такая же гитара))
Красавица))
The playing on this is great but in every clip when that OKKO diablo is kicked on, it just colors the amp too much and the guitars all wind up sounding the same. The intro tone of the Vibroverb clean was great though!
So good man!
Greg, important question! What do you prefer a Yamaha SA2200 or a Fgn Masterfield? Honestly:)
I just bought the Fgn but I loved both and I wanted your insights :)
I was wondering the same, as this one of the few channels where both appear.
I had have an ES335 (always wanted one for years) Custom that would be £2800 if you wanted something similar new from a dealer today, that I only really used for recording here and there as it was mark-free and so damn pricey I never took it out of the house..
Picked up an SA2200 for £800 with a few small dings and marks to gig with and soon saw no need to own the Gibbo at all (it's up for sale). Very close sound-wise, the Gibbo perhaps a little mellower and airy in its sweetness, the Yammy similar but perhaps tighter and more focussed with stock pickups - but when I put in some boutique jobs it sounded like the best 335-type I'd ever touched.
Oh and the neck feels slightly more 'modern' and ergonomic somehow, which is good.
I can't believe people pay so much for the romance of the Gibson brand when these go for £800-900 used.
so which pickups did you put in the Yamaha that made it sound better?
SD Seth Lovers
True. The stock pickups are not bad if one is into smooth jazz. If so, don´t change anything! But they don´t give so much sparkle. I put some Wolfetone Marshallheads in my SA 2200. The sound became brighter and more exciting, more complex, more according to my liking.
I put Kloppmann pick-ups in mine as well as completely rewired it. then I put a Duesenberg trem (à la bigsby but nicer) with a scaller rollerbridge and Duesenberg tuners. It has become even better and more special. But nothing wrong with the stock pups and hardware.
I need it so badly man fuck. Personally I love the tone
Great !
I have this guitar and I'm just re-discovering it.
What strings do you use ? Gauge, brand, etc... All of you ?
Thanks !
Pretty good sound! I think SA2200 sometimes come over Gibson335.Fingerboard radius 350 is extremely better than Gibson335.
THAT YAMAHA IS ON FIRE 🔥 😮COOL 😎 *****
Just bought an sa 500,il have it tomorrow,anyone have any experience with that model? If the tone isn't right then il upgrade the pickups but it's just been set up so it's a matter of wait and see!
Hello,
How do
you clean and make your guitars look so shiny? Danke.
Beautiful guitar and lovely tone. Ithink this guitar can really compete with a genuine 335!
I'm gonna sound like a douche but few "run-of-the-mill" Gibson 335 compete with the SA2200 in terms of quality and consistency. Every 335 Gibby I tried were not as well made but had their own thing so it's not to say that the SA2200 is "better" just different. But for sure, it is better built.
uauuuu Melhor que gibson!!!
Awesome ... I have two, one set up for Rock the other for Sweet sounds... great value compared with the 335... which I also own
but its a matter of taste, the build quality is 10 times better on the Yamaha as expected, but if its Grunt you want then maybe the
335 is the beast for you..
I have one with EMG 85 / 60 s , I know, you did whaaat ?
Can you share your setup on the two sa2200, rock vs sweet sound.
Hi Greg. Between the Yamaha 2200, the Ibanez As200 and the Gibson 335, what is the one you recomend as a better instrument?
Yamaha sa2200 ! best guitar ever !
@@papanop from what I understand the sa1200s is the exact same guitar with just cosmetic differences (gold hardware and block inlays).
@@kevdean9967 The 1200S has a solid carved SPRUCE top (hence the S). Nice guitar also, just slightly different in tone from the SA2200.
The strength of the SA2200 is the consistency and extremely high craftmanship, components and material quality. You are sure to get a superlative instrument even buying online. Though they are not cheap (around $2000), they are well worth every penny. The Ibanez original AS200 have nice pups and the Gibraltar bridge and tailpiece which I like. As to the Gibson 335, well, it's all a matter of luck and how much you're ready to spend. You have run-of the-mill sub-par es335 (not worth the money) and you have awesome holy grail es335 (how much are you ready to spend?!!...).
AS200 circa 1981 super58s can’t be beaten. Best of the best. They just got it right.
Yeah!
This or the Eastman T59V?
Extrem cooler sound! Werde meine 335er verkaufen!
Dude you are hurting the Teddy!
+lalalalalala I want a micstand like that!!!
lalalalalala poor thing must. Stone deaf by now .lol
🙂🙂🙂
Don't forget, chords exist too. Good technique otherwise.
Chords are on extra charge.... ;-)
It would be nice if you talked a bit about the guitars
+Dani West nooo, it's ok with no talking actually :)
I know where my "stimulus" money is going. I just bought 2 Yamaha FGX5's (acoustic.) After this I stop,promise.
Lmao im literally using it for the same reason!!
This was going so well until the funky shit.
металлист...что ли!?😊тебе пора лечить ся электричеством...джожо!